This Chain Killed 33 Sailors
Waterline Stories・31 minutes read
The AL Faro, a cargo ship, faces a major hurricane as Captain Davidson disregards warnings and continues on course, ultimately leading to disaster and the loss of all crew members. Despite rescue efforts, the ship sinks in the hurricane with only debris recovered, highlighting the tragic consequences of disregarding weather warnings.
Insights
- Captain Michael Davidson's decision to disregard warnings from deck officers and rely on outdated weather information ultimately led to the tragic sinking of the AL Faro during Hurricane Wen, showcasing the dire consequences of ignoring critical safety advice.
- Despite efforts to alter the ship's course and address emerging issues like flooding and engine problems, the crew's reliance on the captain's decisions, coupled with the challenging weather conditions, resulted in the inability to avert disaster, highlighting the critical importance of effective communication, up-to-date information, and collaborative decision-making in maritime safety.
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Recent questions
What happened to the AL Faro cargo ship?
It sank during Hurricane Wen, leading to crew fatalities.
Who was the captain of the AL Faro?
Captain Michael Davidson.
What weather conditions did the AL Faro face?
Severe winds and high waves during Hurricane Wen.
How did the crew of the AL Faro attempt to survive?
They abandoned ship using life rafts and lifeboats.
What led to the sinking of the AL Faro?
The decision to maintain course towards Hurricane Wen.
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Summary
00:00
Disaster at Sea: Captain Ignores Storm
- The AL Faro, a cargo ship with a 40-year career, faces a major hurricane according to weather reports.
- The ship's captain disregards warnings from deck officers about the impending storm.
- A surface low in the western Atlantic indicates a potential major storm developing.
- The AL Faro's history and route between the US east coast and Puerto Rico are detailed.
- The ship's crew faces worsening weather conditions as the surface low intensifies.
- The National Hurricane Center upgrades the low to a tropical depression, then to tropical storm Wen.
- Captain Michael Davidson, known for his safety-first approach, navigates the AL Faro through the storm.
- Conflicting weather forecasts and the crew's reliance on outdated weather data create confusion.
- Davidson alters the ship's course slightly to avoid the storm, aiming to pass south of it.
- Despite warnings and updated weather reports, the AL Faro continues its course towards Hurricane Wen, ultimately leading to disaster.
16:57
Al Faro's Fatal Voyage: Ignoring Storm Warnings
- Re recommends Davidson to check the weather report on the bridge due to an advancing storm, but Davidson doesn't come initially.
- Re promises to gather more information and update Davidson by 2313 after reviewing forecasts again.
- They discuss the ship's route, with Re advising Davidson of bad weather reports, predicting the Al Faro will be near the Hurricane Center at 0400 with winds at 100 knots and gusts to 120.
- Re suggests altering the course further south from 0200 for safety, but Davidson insists on the current course.
- At 0118, Randol learns that Wen has become a Category 3 hurricane, prompting her to plan an alternate route to the South starting at 0200.
- Al Faro moves out of the protection of Salvador Island, leading to concerns about the ship's rolling action between the islands.
- Randol informs Davidson of Wen's upgrade, proposing the planned alternative route, but Davidson insists on the original course.
- Issues arise with the ship's engine due to a list and oil levels, prompting adjustments to reduce the wind heel's effects.
- Davidson downloads outdated weather information at 0445, while the ship receives a more recent update placing Wen near Al Faro.
- Flooding issues emerge, with water entering through an open Scuttle on Deck two, leading to loose cars in the cargo hold and a ruptured fireman causing significant flooding.
33:00
Tragic sinking of ship Al Faro
- Coast Guard Atlantic area Command Center receives alert messages from GMDSS and SSAS, leading to the initiation of a rescue operation for the distressed ship Al Faro in a hurricane.
- Captain Davidson orders the crew to abandon ship at 0727, facing severe weather conditions with wind speeds of 5 knots and waves of 6 to 9 meters, utilizing open top inflatable life rafts and lifeboats, but survival chances are slim.
- Despite rescue efforts, the Al Faro sinks on October 1, 2015, with the final audio recording capturing the captain's attempts to save crew members, leading to the loss of all crew members with only debris recovered, and the ship eventually found at a depth of 4,600 meters.
